For the first time in about four editions of the National Youth Games, Plateau State eventually got it right as it concerns the types of athletes that suit the Youth Games.
In a hold no bare tete a tete talk with the Plateau State Director of Sports, Prof. Ezra Gunen, he reiterates: “I will want to first of all appreciate the Executive Governor of Plateau State for the conducive environment he’s given us to operate and Sports to thrive on the Plateau, so it’s no magic the progress we now celebrate in sports in the State. “
Professor Gunen continues as it concerns the near perfect screening that was conducted on Plateau State athletes few days ago: “Plateau State came with young athletes to participate in 25 sports, during the screening that took place few days ago, we had 99.8 percent, only two athletes have been screened out, the coaches have done a very good job, we have the youngest athletes, yesterday an 8yr old who is in primary 3 was on air and she spoke brilliantly, the essence of this is to have good enough athletes that can win medals seamlessly in the next two to three years’.
The Director of Sports concludes by revealing it all: “During long vacations before schools resume, school children are being brought to the stadium to participate in different sporting events out of which the best are selected into sports events and each sporting event has an academy where these kids are nurtured”.
Plateau State will participate in Boxing, Football, Cycling, Beach volleyball, Gymnastics, Kokowa, Taekwondo and Hockey.
